Drabble 10: Silver
"I… wow." She stutters, unsure of how to respond.
"Do you like it?" He asks, hopeful, nervous. Her fingers reach out to caress the cool object in the box, transfixed. She looks confused, conflicted. "What's wrong?" Henry asks, more nervous than ever. She seems not to hear him.
"No one's ever…" She darts her eyes up to his a moment, before avoiding his gaze once again, "…not even my… my dad never…"
"What?" He's less nervous than confused, now.
"I've never gotten anything like this. It's… wow." She closes her fingers around it, rubbing her thumb over cool surface, "It's really… beautiful. Thank you."
"Can I help you put it on?" He smiles tentatively, gently unwrapping her fingers to retrieve it, pulling the chain out of the box. She lifts her curls (which are particularly wild, today) and lets him secure it. Of course, in the process, he can't help but kiss the back of her neck. She smiles lightly, hand going to hold the pennant around her neck. A silver music note, which probably cost Henry a fortune. Natalie's never gotten a gift like this; her father was always too busy when she was younger to care about something like this. The only jewelry she ever owned was a few beaded bracelets she made for herself, or clip-on earrings. It never really bothered her, per say, but she never expected Henry to get her something so… wow.
"I love you." It escapes her mouth before she realizes it, or maybe she doesn't realize it at all; she's too lost it thought, staring at the wall in front of her. Which… he notices. He knows she's been zoning out far too frequently to be considered normal. He doesn't say anything, though, especially not to ruin the moment.
They've dated for three years and she'd never said it. He'd said it more times than he could count, whispered it into her curls or grunted it as he watched her come undone underneath him. She would nod or cry out or simply kiss him in response, but she'd never say it.
"I love you, too." He wraps his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. She stays quiet.
They remain that way for a long time.